Metal founding – Process – Shaping liquid metal against a forming surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2001-07-24
Lin, Kuang Y. (Department: 1722)
Metal founding
Process
Shaping liquid metal against a forming surface
C164S122100, C164S122200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263951
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to horizontal directional solidification of molten metals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Directional solidification of molten metal using a vertically oriented ceramic mold positioned on a horizontal chill plate is well known in the art of investment casting to produce such components as columnar grain or single crystal gas turbine engine blades and vanes. Typically, the vertically oriented mold on the chill plate is filled with molten metal in an upstanding casting furnace, and then the chill plate is vertically withdrawn from the casting furnace to establish unidirectional heat removal from the molten metal in the mold to produce a columnar or single crystal casting microstructure if a crystal selector passage (e.g. pigtail) is provided on the mold.
An object of the present invention is to provide method and apparatus for directional solidification using a generally horizontally oriented mold that is withdrawn from a casting furnace and rotated in a manner to reduce segregation, avoid loss of molten metal from the mold, and achieve a directionally solidified cast microstructure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides in an embodiment method and apparatus for directional solidification of molten metal using a general horizontally oriented mold initially positioned in a casting furnace. The mold is filled with molten metal through a mold pour cup located on an upper region of the mold and a pour cup runner that enters the mold at a location. The melt filled mold initially is withdrawn from the casting furnace to solidify the molten metal at the location where the pour cup runner enters the mold. The melt filled mold then is withdrawn while the mold is rotated about its horizontal axis to reduce segregation of alloying elements in the solidifying molten metal. Initial solidification of molten metal at the entry of the pour cup runner to the mold prevents molten metal from flowing out of the mold through the pour cup when the mold is subsequently rotated.
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following drawings taken in conjunction with the following detailed description.
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Howmet Research Corporation
Lin Kuang Y.
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